Well bore apparatus



y 1954 c. c. BROWN WELL BORE APPARATUS J 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 25, 1946 ATTORNEYS May 18, 1954 c. c. BROWN WELL BORE APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 25, 1946 BROWN TOR I M 6 ATTORNEYS ClCERO C INVEN Way- May 18, 1954 Filed Sept. 25,

C. C. BROWN WELL BORE APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 CICERO 0. BROWN NVENTOR Ear @4 6: ATTORNEYS .paratus to enable a Patented May 18, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CiceroC. Brown, Houston, Tex. Application September 25, 1946,.Serial No. 699,268

2 Claims. 1

This invention relates generally to well apparatus, and will be found particularly useful for eiiecting the removal of drill stems andbits that become stuck in the bore of a Well.

Oil wells are drilled to great depths in the earth. The conventional equipment used in drilling oil wells includes a drill stem comprising a large number of pipe sections connecte'd'by threaded pipe couplings, commonly referred to as tool joints; a somewhat larger pipe section connected to the lowermost drill stem pipe section and commonly referred to as adrill collar; and a cutting bit connected to the lower end of the drill collar. The drill stem is rotated to cause the bit to penetrate the earth and mud laden fluid called slush is pumped through the drill stem. As the bit descends into the earth additional pipe sections are connected to the upper end of the stem. Not only is the drill collar of a largerdiameter than the remainder of the drill stem, but the drill bit is of a diameter larger than the diameter of the drill collar, and due to causes well known to those skilled in the art, the bit and drill collar at times becomes stuck in the "bore of the well so that the drill stem cannot be removed. If the drill stem cannot b removed this results in a great loss because in order to complete the well it is necessary to frequently remove the drill stem in order to substitute new bits for worn bits, and .upon completion of the well it is customary to remove the drill stem "for use in other wells. Therefore, those skilled in the art have heretofore endeavored to provide means and methods whereby a stuck bit may be dislodged so that it may be removed upwardly through the bore with the drill stem, or if .the bit cannot be dislodged the drill stem may be disconnected from the bit so thatth bit will be left in the hole but the drill stem may be removed.

This invention has for one of its general objects the provision of a new and improved apdriller to dislodge a stuck bit so that drilling may be continued without loss.

Another general object of the invention is to provide a new and improved apparatus which will constitute a partof the drill stem itself and will have the strength and durability to normally function as a section of the drill stem but which may be readily caused to perform, if necessary, certain desired functions to'dislodge thebit .and permit removal of the drill stem and the hit. As will hereinafter appear, this new and improved apparatus may be interposed between the upper end of the drill collar andtthe lower end of the lowermost drill pipe section.

Another object of the invention is .to provide a new and improved apparatus whereby it a bit becomes stuck the driller may readily render the bit andthe stem relatively rotatable sothat rotation of the drill stem and circulation of the slush may be continued until further steps can be taken to dislodge the bit. 'I'his'is one of the in important objects of the invention since it will prevent sticking of the drill stem itself before further steps can be taken to dislodge the bit.

Another object is to provide a new and improved apparatus whereby the stuck'bit may be jarred upwardly and/or downwardly to dislodge A further object is to provide a new and improved apparatuathe bit dislodging elements of which maybe rendered operative without exertingan extreme upward-pull on the drill stem,to

thereby prevent further sticking of the bit incident to an extreme upward pull on the drill stem.

The invention also has for its object to provide a new and improved apparatus to cutaway the formation or other obstructions to its upward movement, so that it may be readily removed from the bore.

A further object'of the invention is to provide 3 a new and improved apparatus whereby if "the bit cannot be dislodged the drill stem may be disconnected therefrom so that slush may be pumped under pressure through the drill stem into the space above the bit to hold back gas 5 pressure or the like which may be causing the formation to hold the bit, and then the drill stem may be reconnectedfor further attempts to dislodgethe bit, or if the bit cannot be dislodged the drill stem may be disconnected and removed 40 from the well.

More specifically this invention has for one of its objects the provision of a newand improved apparatus embodying a working or driving-connection whichfunctions, during the normal ,op-

eration of the drilling "apparatus, as a part of the drill stem, and means whereby this connection may be quickly and easily disconnected, whereupon the apparatus may be used as a 'jar, a swivel, a safety tool or, when the slush passageways oi the bit are obstructed, as a pump provide a .jar which maybe operated without 3 transmitting the upward jarring shock to the derrick.

A further object is to provide a tool of the character described having telescoping members defining a chamber which may be filled with hydraulic material such as grease or the like to exclude foreign matter from the working parts and protect the outer shell of the tool against high hydrostatic external pressures.

In the interest of simplicity the above discussion and the following description relate to the use of the apparatus in drilling operations. It Will be understood that this is by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.

Other and further objects will appear from the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the instant specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith, and wherein like reference numerals are employed to designate like parts in various views:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale of the upper portion of the device shown in Fig. 1, wherein the internal working parts are partially in elevation for clarity;

Fig. 3 is a sectional enlarged view of the lower portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 wherein a portion of the internal working parts are partially in elevation for clarity;

Fig. 4 is a view taken along the line 44 in Fig. 2 in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is a view taken along the lin 5--5 in Fig. 2 in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the tool with the working connection released;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the working connection released and showing a suitable tool or go-devil for releasing the connection;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view partially in section of the upper portion of the outer member of the tool shown in Figure 2;

Fig, 9 is a perspective view of the upper portion of the internal member of the device shown in Figures 2 and. 6;

Fig. 10 is a view illustrating a key seat in a well bore and showing the device constructed in accordance with the invention, connected in a drill string and lodged in the key seat and disposed in jarring position;

Fig. 11 is a view taken along the line I |H in Fig. 10 in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 10 ShOWil'lg the device with the safety joint released, and

Fig. 13 is a view of the upper end of a modified tool for releasing the working connection of the device shown in the preceding figures.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 shows a device of this invention in elevation. This device consists of an internal telescoping section A, an external section B, and a catcher sub C carried by section B. Section A may be attached to the drill stem l5. Section C may carry drill collars l 6 to which the drill bit, not shown in this figure, is attached. It is to be understood that the illustration of the device used in conjunction with the drill stem and bit is illustrative only and is not by way of limitation. In other words, the device may be used in a well tubing or other pipe string.

Section A is arranged to telescope within section B and comprises an elongated member I! with a box at its upper end receivin the p 0 the drill stem 15. Member I 1 has a portion lid 4 of reduced diameter. This portion has protrusions llb disposed 180 from each other with cut-away portions therebetween. These protrusions constitute the upper splines of the internal section.

A safety joint or readily releasable connection is provided between the lower end of member I! and member l 8. A suitable releasable connection comprises a right hand square type threaded engagement between elements I T and 18. The safety joint member 18 at its upper end has cut-away portions leaving extensions or splines I8a. The arrangement preferably is such that splines i811 are disposed from spline lib with th safety joint assembled. The tapered lower end of member It will be hereinafter discussed with regard to the transmission of driving torque between sections A and B.

Section A carries a tubular extension which forms a part of the working connection between sections A and B. This extension comprises the tube 69 threaded internally to th lower end of section i1. Tube 19 in turn is threaded at its other end to a tubular section 20. This section 20 has a castellated end portion 20a. The castellation provides resilient arms which have a ratchet type threaded connection with collar 2|. The threads preferably are 90 included angle threads which facilitate stripping of collar 2| from the end of tube 20. Lookin means may be provided to prevent rotation of the collar 2i. A suitable lock is effected by a plurality of holes 2 la and a set screw 40 in one of the holes extending into one of the slots of the castellated tube 20. An internal expander collar 22 has a releasable connection with the castellated portion of tube 25 and when in position prevents radial collapse of the castellated portion. Thus collar 2i cannot be stripped from the tube. A suitable connection for collar 22 to the castellated portion 20a is provided by frangible screw 23.

In the assembled position collar 2! engages the lower end shoulder of coupling member 24, which forms a part of section B, providing a connection against relative longitudina1 movement of sections A and B. This working connection may be readily released by passin a go-devil or other suitable tool having lugs adapted to engage collar 22, downwardly through the drill stem and the passageway through section A. A suitable godevil is illustrated in Fig. 7 and will be hereinafter more fully described.

Section B is the external telescoping section of the joint and includes a sleeve 25 substantially encasing section A. Internal splines 25a are provided adjacent the top of the sleeve. These splines are cut to permit mating with the upper splines lib and the lower splines l8a or" section A. The portion of reduced diameter Ha intermediate the splines provides for limited relative axial movement between sections A and B. With splines 25a mated in either of the upper or lower splines of section A a rotary drive connection is provided between sections A and B. With splines 25a positioned intermediate the upper and lower splines of section A relative rotation of sections A and B is permitted.

The coupling member 24 has a threaded connection with the lower end of sleeve 25. The tapered shoulder 24a of this member abuts the corresponding tapered surface of member I8 and limits relative longitudinal movement between sections A and B in one direction. This taper socket or conical type clutch serves to transmit a portion of the driving torque between the secac'zssos tions A and B during drilling operations. The socket also serves as an aid to alignment of the tool holding the sections in a given phase relationship during operation. It is important that the only rigid connection between sections A and B, with the tool in drilling assembly, is provided at this socket. A relatively free connection is provided between sleeve 25 and members i? and it as the tolerance between mating splines 25a and iib is not close. This relatively free connection provides flexibility in the drilling operations and reduces likelihood of failure of sleeve 25.

The releasable drive connection effected by the castellated member 29 and collars 2| and-22 holds the tool in assembly as shown in Fig. 2 by preventing relative longitudinal movement between sections A and B. In this condition the tool constitutes a rigid joint or part of the drill stem and is capable of transmitting both a tensile pull and torque drive. With the working connection released it is obvious that section A may be moved upwardly relative to section B untilsplines 25a of the outer section abut the upper surface of the safety joint member it at either the upper splined edge or the edge formed by the cut-away portion dependent on the relative angular phase relationship of the sections. It will be understood that the working connection may be readily released by displacing expander collar 22 with a godevil. With this collar released, a slight upward pull on section A causes collar 2!, which engages the lower end shoulder of member 24, to be stripped from the castellated portion of tube 2E5. Because of the flexibility of the castellated tube end and the ratchet type the tube and collar, the required upward pull is insufficient to jam the frozen drill tools tighter into a key seat, heaving formation or the like.

It will be seen that a releasable holding device has been provided for the working connection. The device includes the tubular extension 19, castellated tube 28 and the collars 2| and 22. The expander collar 22, an incorporated part of the device, may be considered as a trigger exposed to the interior of the apparatus, which on actuation releases the holding device.

The castellated member 23 of the working connection preferably is weakened by a circumferential groove 2%. Thus, in the event it becomes necessary to quickly break the working connection the member 28 may be broken by exerting an upward pull of a predetermined value on the pipe string. This will usually only be resorted to in the event that it is necessary to quickly release the safety joint so as to separate the drill string from the bit and associated parts, as obviously this procedure usually drives the tools further into a freezing formation.

Seals are provided between sections A and B to protect the internal working parts against mud and other gritty substances from the well bore. These seals may be effectively formed by use of grooves lid and 81) with O-rings 25 disposed therein. These two seal rings protect the spline and associated chamber with the tool assembled. Added protection may also be had by filling the chamber between sections A and B with grease or other packing material preferably of a hydraulic character by means of valved opening 2'! in member 25; a suitable check valve (not shown) may be threaded into the opening 27. This'hydraulic material also protects the relatively weak sleeve 25 against extreme hydrostatic pressure sometimes encountered in drilling deep holes.

With the working-connection releaseda seal is threads between provided for the annulus between sections Aand B by the O-ring 26 in groove $81) and .O-ringfl in an internal groove in member 24. Thus, the tapered joint between members 24 and i8 is protected from grit and other foreign materials even when operating the device as a swivel or jar.

Amill 29 is preferably connected to the sleeve 25 adjacent its top. Thus, in working through'a key seat or heaving formation rotation-of the drill stem provides for clearance between the well bore and sleeve 25. The only portion of the tool that is of greater diameter than the mill is the bit itself. The enlarged portion of the bit will serve as cutters and usually the tools may be drawn through a key seat when the frozen tools have been released, by the simple'expedient of rotation.

The relative position of the parts of the device of this invention when the working connection is released is best shown in Figs. 6 and '7. It will be first noted by reference to Figs. 3 and 7 that a catcher sub is threaded to the lower end of coupling member 2%. lhe catcher sub 36 has two bores of different diameters, 38a and 39b, for receiving collars 2i and 22, respectively, when the collars are displaced from the castellated member :23. Fig. 7 shows 'thecollars in position within the cores.

The go-devil or tripping tool is detailed in Fig. 7 and consists of an elongated body 3i with a guide nose Mat one end anda fishing connection 33 at the other end. Intermediate its length the body is provided with spring pressed dogs 34. These dogs 3% are adapted to engage collar 22 to dislodge it from its position within castellated member 2% The go-devil may be propelled by gravity but preferably is provided with an O-ring type packing 35 adapted to frictionally engage the internal wall of the drill stem and the tool or the instant invention. Thus, the go-devil may be propelled by a pressure differential on opposite sides of the packing. It is to be noted that castellated member 2t has a somewhat enlarged inside diameter and packing 35 does not engage the inner surface thereof when the go-devil is in its lower-most position. Thus circulation of drilling mud past the go-devil is permitted.-

In Fig. 13 the upper end of a modified go-devil is shown. The modification consists in the provision of a wire line socket 36. Thus, the go-devil can be raised or lowered by means of the wire line 31.

Jith collar 22 released a slight upward pull of thedrill stem forces collar 21 from the castellated portion of member 26. At this time section A may be moved upwardly relative to section B until the splines 225a of sleeve 25 engage the upper portion or edge of member l8. With splines 25a. disengaged from either the upper or lower splines of section A, section A may be rotated relative to section B. By raising section A until its lower splines i801. mate with splines 25a then rotating section A to the left the safety joint nut or member '58 is released. With this nut released, section A, except for the nut, may be readily withdrawn from section B and the well bore.

It is thought that the illustration of the key seat in Figs. 10, 11 and 12 is self-explanatory. In drilling, the bit path often describes a loop as at 38. Then the rotating drill stern and tool joints grind against the formation tending to straighten out the hole. The resultant slot like portion '39 of the bore results in a bore, which in cross section resembles a key-hole. When the drilling tools are withdrawn from the bore, the mill 29, drill collar is and bit having greater diameter than the drill stem and joints lodge in the slot like portion of the bore.

In operation the device of this invention is assembled in a drill string or other pipe string used in connection with well bore operations. In the normal operation of the pipe string the device functions as any of the other tool joints. It provides a power transmitting section and is not effective as either a swivel, jar, safety joint or the like until the working connection has been released. To facilitate the discussion of the operation it will be assumed that the device is interposed in a drill string and that in withdrawing the tools from the well bore the bit becomes lodged in a key seat as illustrated in Figs. 10 to 12, inclusive.

The mill 29 has the same outside diameter as the drill collars and will have a tendency to be come lodged in the key seat. However, should the mill and collars pass, the drill bit having a greater diameter than the mill or any portion of the tool will lodge in the key seat. This will be apparent to the operator at the surface as it is well known to those skilled in the art.

When this occurs a go-devil is passed downwardly from the ground surface through the drill stem and into the central passage through the device of this invention. The go-devil may be gravity propelled or propelled by hydraulic pressure if circulation has not been lost. The godevil passes downwardly until lugs 34 engage collar 22 of the working connection. The velocity of the go-devil is suflicient to shear frangible screw 23 and force collar 22 from within the castellated member 20. With collar 22 removed a small upward pull on the drill stem is sufiicient to dislodge collar 21 completing the release of the working connection.

With the working connection broken or released the device may be used either as a swivel, a jarring tool, a safety joint, or a pump for reestablishing circulation of the drilling fluid.

To operate as a swivel the drilling stem and section A attached thereto is raised sufficiently to disengage splines 25a of sleeve 25 so that section A is free to rotate relative to section B. Due to the seals formed by O-ring 26 in groove [81) and O-ring 28 within the internal groove in coupling member 24, circulation of drilling mud may be maintained while the swivel is being operated. Thus, rotation of the drill stem is maintained along with circulation while preparations are being made for further operations. In the event it is desired to spot oil around the drill collars, the tool may be used as a swivel to maintain rotation of the drill stem while preparations for spottin with oil are made. This rotation prevents sticking of the pipe string above the swivel connection.

If it is decided to use the tool as a jar an upward jar is enacted by raising the drill stem until the upper edges of splines 13a abut splines 25a. When this abutment is efiected a pull of a predetermined amount is placed on the drill string and the string is rotated until splines 25a are aligned with the cut-away portions of member I8 whereby the splines will mate. When this position is reached relative longitudinal movement between sections A and B results and a jar is effected on abutment or splines 250. with the edge of the cut-away portions of member 53. In the event it is desired to shield the derrick from this jarring shock, when sufiioient pull has been placed upon the pipe string, rotary slips the pumps are operated at capacity and pipe string is slacked on and the string rotated to effect the jar. The resiliency and tension of the long line of pipe string provides for the requisite upward movement of section A of the tool. Thus, the shock of the jar is imparted only to the rotary slips and associated parts.

To effect a downward jar the drill string is lowered until the lower edges of protrusions or splines [1b engage the upper edges of splines 25a. A selected weight is rested upon the spline engagement and the stem rotated to effect the jar. This jarring operation may be continued in the desired direction until the frozen tools have been jarred loose.

If the operator is unable to jar the drilling tools loose, it then becomes necessary to release the safety joint. This release is accomplished by raising the drill stem until splines l8a mate with splines 25a. In this mated position reverse or left hand rotation of the stem effects a release of the threaded engagement at l'lc. As the threads feed out, nut or member 18 is permitted to lower and thus a floating nut is provided. This floating nut materially facilitates the release of this threaded engagement because of the relief of pressure between the surfaces of the threaded engagement.

In the event circulation has been stopped and the mud circulation pumps do not have suificient capacity to force the mud through the bit, an added capacity can be accomplished by using the device of this invention as a pump. To effect this the working connection is released, the drill stem and section A are elevated somewhat, to place the drilling fluid under the greatest pressure possible, the mud connection between the pumps and drill stem is closed, and the drill stem is lowered. The entire weight of the drill stem can thus be placed upon the section A which serves as a piston. Thus, the device serves as a direct fluid displacement pump and often is effective to reestablish circulation.

In the event the tools are frozen within the bore at the time of a blow-out or threatened blow-out the working connection can be released, the safety joint operated and the stem raised whereby mud can be inserted into the bore above section B to mud off the well. When this is accomplished the stem may be lowered to insert section A within section B and the safety joint remade. The tool can then be operated as a jar to release the bit and remove the drillings tools from the bore hole. This is one of the times that it is often desirable to release the working connection in the shortest possible time. Usually then the connection will be released by breaking the frangible member 20.

It is apparent from the above description that the objects of this invention have been accomplished. There has been provided a single tool that may be interposed in a pipe string in well bore operations as a rigid power transmitting part thereof, which on release of its working connection may be operated as a swivel, jar, bumper sub, safety joint, pump or the like. The arrangement is such that a single tool provides means for successfully coping with a great number of problems of everyday occurrence in drilling, production and other well bore operations. The construction provides a releasable, highly flexible working connection for transmitting both torque and tensile stresses or loads wherein the torque transmission is shared between a tight may be set. Then the stress between the derrick fitting, tapered socket and relatively loose fitting spline connection. The structure of the working connection is such that it may be released without danger of driving frozen tools further into the restricted portion of the well bore.

From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Havin described my invention, I claim:

1. A device adapted to be interposed in a pipe string in well bore operations comprising, an outer tubular section, an inner section telescopically mounted within the outer section and movable to a fully telescoped position, a fully extended position and an intermediate position relative to the outer section, spline means on the outer section, spline means on the inner section engageable with the spline means on the outer section when the sections are fully telescoped for non-rotatively connecting the sections to each other, movement of the sections to an intermediate position with respect to the outer section disengaging the spline means of the inner section from the outer section to allow swivelling of the sections relative to each other, a tapered seating surface within the outer section, and a complementary tapered element on the inner section adapted to engage the tapered seating surface when the inner section is in a fully telescoped position and functioning as a friction drive connection between the inner and outer sections.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1, together with frangible means for securing the inner section to the outer section in a fully telescoped position.

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